
State of Hawai'i Report to the 28th Legislature Aloha+ Challenge: Recommendations for Taking Action and Tracking Progress
The State of Hawai'i Report to the 28th Legislature Aloha+ Challenge: Recommendations for Taking Action and Tracking Progress is now available online! Mahalo to the State Sustainability Coordinator & nearly 100 experts, including representatives of the six Aloha+ Challenge signatories, non-profits and the private sector, that participated in this broad consultation process to provide a full set of legislative recommendations on Aloha+ Challenge next steps.
Report available online: http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/CO15-Aloha-Challenge-Rpt14.pdf

4th Statewide Measures Meeting: Hawai'i Island
November 12 & 13, King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
Hawai'i Green Growth convened the 4th Statewide Measures Meeting on Hawai'i Island to prepare for the launch of the Aloha+ Challenge demonstration dashboard and provide recommendations for next steps on the HGG Measures Project in 2015. Over 30 statewide, public-private representatives from energy, food, natural resources, waste, smart growth, & green education/jobs participated in this two-day meeting on November 12 &13. Mahalo nui to Hawai'i County & King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel for co-sponsoring & hosting this meeting. See highlights from the 4th statewide measures meeting on Hawai'i Green Growthʻs Facebook page
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Readout of the White House Meeting with Members of the President's Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience
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Small Island Developing States Spotlighted in Top Global Environmental Awards
Bangkok, 17 November 2014 – President of Palau, Tommy Remengesau, Jr, was announced today as a winner of the UN's top environmental accolade, the Champions of the Earth award.
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3rd Statewide Measures Meeting: Maui
August 20 & 21- Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
Hawai'i Green Growth convened the 3rd Statewide Measures Meeting on Maui to continue development of shared sustainability indicators to track progress on the Aloha+ Challenge. The group is preparing to launch the Aloha+ Challenge dashboard with sections on clean energy and waste reduction in January 2015. Over 40 statewide, public-private representatives from energy, food, natural resources, waste, smart growth, & green education/jobs participated in this two-day meeting. Mahalo nui to Kyo-Ya/Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Hawai'i Gas for co-sponsoring this meeting. See highlights from the 3rd Statewide Measures Meeting on Hawai‘i Green Growthʻs Facebook page
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Hawai'i announces Aloha+ Challenge internationally as part of the US Delegation at Third UN Small Island Developing States Conference in Apia, Samoa
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Ban Ki-Moon and William Aila Jr
PAGO PAGO, American Sāmoa – The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and President of Palau, Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., sailed aboard Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia in Apia Harbor, Sāmoa today. They joined Worldwide Voyage crew and specialists such as Sylvia Earle of Mission Blue, artist Wyland, Blue Planet founder Henk Rogers, and Greg Stone of Conservation International.
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The team presenting the Maui Sustainability Briefings at the Maui Tropical Plantation on Wednesday, Aug. 20, included (left to right, back row) Gary Bulson, Michael Miyamoto, Gerry Ross, Alika Atay, Doug McLeod, Rob Parsons, Breanna Rose, Kainoa Casco, (front row) Audrey Newman, Jacqueline Kozak Thiel, Jennifer Chirico and Melanie Stephens.
Over 150 leaders from Maui and across the state attended a sustainability briefing co-hosted by Hawai‘i Green Growth, County of Maui, and Susty Pacific. Full coverage of the briefing is available courtesy of Akakū Community Access TV.
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The plan promotes collaboration to hit targets that tackle environmental issues
Article By B.J. Reyes at Star Advertiser
A year ago Hawaii became the first subnational government to sign on to the Majuro Declaration for Climate Leadership, a pledge from Pacific island nations to take definitive steps in addressing climate change and sustainability challenges.
This week Hawaii is presenting its own initiative on addressing climate, sustainability, renewable energy and natural resource management at the 45th Pacific Islands Forum, an annual gathering of more than 300 delegates from 16 independent and self-governing Pacific states with the stated goal of stimulating economic growth and enhancing governance, security and cooperation in the region through policy advice.
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HONOLULU – While participating in a panel discussion today at the 22nd Hawaii Conservation Conference, Gov. Neil Abercrombie shared an update from President Obama's Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, to which the Governor was appointed last fall.
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Aloha kākou,
Governor Abercrombie, the four Mayors, and leadership of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) jointly launched the Aloha+ Challenge: A Culture of Sustainability – He Nohona 'Ae'oia at a declaration signing at the Hawai'i State Capitol on July 7, 2014.
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Hawaii's State and County Leaders Formalize Joint Sustainability Commitment
"Aloha+ Challenge" Sets 6 Targets by 2030
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Original Interview at www.climate.gov
Jacqueline Kozak Thiel, Hawaii State Sustainability Coordinator
Located more than 2,000 miles from the continental United States, Hawaii faces a unique set of sustainability challenges that will become more complex as the climate changes. Jacqueline Kozak Thiel, Hawaii's State Sustainability Coordinator, has been an active advisor to Governor Neil Abercrombie in his efforts as a member President Obama's State, Local, and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience.
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June 4 & 5, 2014. Hawai'i Green Growth convened 2nd Statewide Measures Meeting on Kaua'i to identify shared indicators for sustainability dashboard, and begin the process of building a statewide network. Nearly 40 statewide, public-private representatives from energy, food, natural resources, waste, smart growth, & green education/jobs participated in this meeting.
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President Obama will propose vast expansion of Pacific Ocean marine sanctuary. The proposal could create the world's largest marine sanctuary and double the area of ocean globally that is fully protected.
Read the entire article about the Pacific Ocean Marine Sanctuary at the Washington Post,
Hawai'i was selected to host the World Conservation Congress is 2016! We are honored to have the opportunity to welcome the world to Hawai'i to showcase U.S. leadership on conservation, sustainability and climate change.
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Island Bright Spots: invest in what works: Ma'o Organic Farms
We are the point between two eternities. We are honoring our ancestors via preparing the way for our future generations
-- MA`O Farm Manager Kaui Sana
Ma'o Farms
MA'O Organic Farms seeks to restore the ancestral practice of Malama 'Aina in a modern context via providing college internships to youth from the Waianae community as sweat equity for running a profitable organic farm.
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HONOLULU – Gov. Neil Abercrombie today signed House Bill 1714 (Act 83), a measure that establishes an interagency climate adaptation committee under the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to develop a sea-level rise vulnerability and adaptation report addressing statewide impacts to 2050.
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Article via Sierra Club Hawaii Mālama Newsletter
As a sign of the importance of self-sufficiency to our islands, in 2013 Governor Abercrombie created the position of State Sustainability Coordinator and appointed Jacqueline Kozak Thiel, an environmentalist with more than ten years’ experience working with communities in Hawai‘i, to the post. Thiel came to Maui right out of college to work as an Americorps intern at Haleakala and Kalaupapa National Parks. The assignment was followed by a four-year stint on the Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee, after which Thiel became the statewide Communications Coordinator for the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council. She also earned an M.A. in urban and regional planning from UHM.
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Bright Spots in Hawaiʻi Leadership
Hawaiʻi Green Growth highlighted the importance of building local and international partnerships at the Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference on July 17, 2013. Over 200 people participated in interactive round-table discussions that highlighted "bright spots" or inspiring examples of collaborative initiatives that are advancing sustainability in Hawaiʻi.
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Hawaiʻi joins the Majuro Declaration for Climate Leadership as the first sub-national government to make commitments to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
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UN declared 2014 the International Year of Small Island Developing States. Islands are at the forefront of efforts to address global challenges such as climate change through innovation, ingenuity, & traditional knowledge. 2014 is the year to celebrate the contributions that islands bring to the world!
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Bringing the World Conservation Congress to Hawaii would be a great chance to highlight Hawai'i's progress on conservation and sustainability.
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Healthy watersheds and water supply are essential to the long-term sustainability of our islands. Take a look at this great, quick PSA on Rain Follows the Forest!
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Photo Courtesy of Kanu Hawaii
Kanu Hawai'i has kicked off 2014 with Grow Local, a yearlong exploration of locally grown foods. Join the fun each month as Kanu delves into a new theme! January featured ʻono local snack recipes- try some below!
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